FATBACK RHINO FLT

( CORVUS CYCLES RHINO )

(updated 6 MAR 2022)

FATBACK BIKES went consumer direct in 2020.

After 4 years of being Canada’s Gold-Level FATBACK dealer, we will no longer be stocking their bikes.

Note : there have been (3) different versions of the Rhino frame released since 2015. The first version was simply called the “Rhino” and had a sliding rear dropout. This is the most sought after version of the frame.

The second frame version was designated the “Rhino FLT”, with a fixed 445mm chainstay and a BB drop of 60mm that accepted both 26” and 27.5” tires. The third frame version was a 27.5” specific design, with a fixed-length chainstay of 445mm, and a deeper BB-drop that has changed twice (65-70mm), and then was altogether removed from the Fatback website geometry charts in 2021. The bikes being sent to the dealerships did not match the specs posted on the Fatback/Corvus site, so we stopped tracking the changes on this bike. For instance, even in March 2022, the specs are still wrong and the wheelbase of the LG and XL frames are within 2mm. Obviously the geometry specs are not correct, and have not been accurate since 2019.

RE : FATBACK FRAME GEOMETRY UPDATES (in early 2020)

Our internal STACK and REACH database program (which began updating Fat Bike frame geometries every year since 2015) detected changes to all 5 FATBACK frame models in early 2020, shortly after their company underwent a 100% turnover in staff.

Under new management, FATBACK changed the virtual Frame Geometry statistics posted on their company website for all 5 production models of Fat Bikes they sold. This included the FATBACK SKOOKUM, SKOOKUM FLT, CORVUS, CORVUS FLT and RHINO FLT.

FATBACK ownership was questioned about the frame geometry changes (especially since new frame models had *not* been released). No corrections were made by the company. No new frames were released by the company, as of (1 OCT 2021), 1.5 years later.

In consideration, when FATBACK altered the ST and HT angles, the ETT (Effective Top Tube) and WB (Wheelbase) distances remained exactly the same. When FATBACK stated the CS was shortened, the WB, along with all other geometry stats remained exactly the same.

For public transparency, screenshots were captured of the data charts FATBACK published on their company website for Frame Geometry, before, and after, the staffing turnover in early 2020 (see chart details below). The geometry “enhancements” to all 5 models appear to be “marketing adjustments”.

• The Geometry Charts posted on the Fatback website, do not match the current production fat bikes manufactured between 2015/16 and (1 OCT 2021). This includes :

FATBACK SKOOKUM AND SKOOKUM FLT

(same frame from 2015-2022)

• Seat Tube Angle (ST) changed from 73 degrees > 74.0 degrees

• Head Tube Angle (HT) changed from 68.5 degrees > 67.5 degrees

FATBACK CORVUS AND CORVUS FLT

(same frame from 2016-2022)

• Chainstay (CS) changed from 455mm > 445mm

FATBACK RHINO FLT

(same frame from 2015- late 2021)

• Seat Tube Angle (ST) changed from 73 degrees > 74.0 degrees

• Head Tube Angle (HT) changed from 69 degrees > 68 degrees

• There have been a total of (4) different Rhino FLT virtual Frame Geometry releases published on Fatback’s website, since the release of (1) Rhino FLT frame version since 2015/16, which is still the current (and latest) production model as of (1 OCT 2021).

• First chart, during product launch in 2015/16. Second chart released in early 2020, after FATBACK underwent a management change. Third chart released in Mid-2021. As of (1 OCT 2021), there has not been a production release of a new RHINO FLT, since its production launch in 2016/17, a 4+ year span.

• The “current” RHINO FLT was cancelled in 2020. The RHINO FLT geometry charts were updated twice, after its cancellation. A CANCELLED PRODUCT received geometry stat “enhancing”, while its discontinued stock was being sold off.

  • (specific frame geometry details can be found below).

• Fatback did not label the published RHINO FLT geometry charts to coincide with actual production dates, or frame versions. Fatback’s frame version blog/timeline and “About Us” page have not been updated since 2016.

• The third (and most recent) published Rhino FLT Geometry change took place on Fatback’s website by Fall 2021, where all RHINO FLT specs were modified. This would indicate a future frame version release. (yet potential customers are assuming the currently-published geometry specs represent the EXISTING RHINO FLT frame, on sale at dealerships or online stores). This marketing strategy by the manufacturer is misleading to all buyers of the product.

• Between OCT 9 2021, and 9 MAR 2022, there are still geometry data errors on the Rhino FLT, including missing data on BB Drop, and the Wheelbase for LG and XL models only differ by 2mm.

• UPDATE : FATBACK BIKES (AK) has changed its name to CORVUS CYCLES on (or by) 9 OCT 2021.

• UPDATE : The FATBACK CORVUS has been renamed the CORVUS AKIO on (or by) 9 OCT 2021.

• UPDATE : The FATBACK SKOOKUM has been renamed the CORVUS SKOOKUM /AF on (or by) 9 OCT 2021.

MODELS

RHINO FLT FRAME GEOMETRY